This paper describes part of a study carried out to explore the relationship between the learning experience and subsequent accident rates. The projects described cover two aspects; methods of learning to drive in Great Britain and performance in the driving test. The sample of drivers examined were candidates who took their test in November 1988 or July 1989. Components of the survey included the driving test, a learning to drive questionnaire, an attitude survey, an assessment of driving skill, follow-up of failed candidates and an accident and offence study. The results are presented and analyzed in terms of age and sex. The results reveal a number of facts including a 10% lower pass rate for females. This is related to different learning strategies and driving experience to males. It is suggested that changes in learning strategy may improve the chance of passing the test. Driving assessment results were found to be poor. It is suggested that the factors which have a positive influence on the accident records of newly qualified drivers are not those which lead to better performance in the driving test.
Samenvatting